Banzai Pipeline contest earns O.C. surfers split decision

Kolohe Andino of San Clemente advanced from his first round heat with this wave at the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

For updates on Pipe Masters and other surfing news, check out Laylan Connelly's surfing coverage in the Register and online at orangecounty.com

BANZAI PIPELINE, HAWAII - High scoring rides - one for and one against - decided the fate of two Orange County surfers during the first round of the $450,000 Billabong Pipe Masters in Memory of Andy Irons held at the famous Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore of the Oahu. The event is the 10th and final contest in the Association of Surfing Professional's top-tier World Championship Tour.

Kolohe Andino of San Clemente charged down the face of a 10-foot wave to overtake Tyler Newton, 21, of Kauai and move on to round two. The 18-year-old will face Brett Simpson of Huntington Beach, whose tour ranking gave him an automatic bye in the first round.

Pat Gudauskas, 27, also from San Clemente, started the day "on the bubble" – with a low World Tour ranking that could send him back to what is effectively the top minor league of surfing in 2013.

"Pat really needs to win to make sure he's back next year," said Al Hunt, a longtime tour manager with the Association of Surfing Professionals.

Gudauskas took on veteran Shane Dorian, 40, from the Big Island in Hawaii. Gudauskas led at times during their 40-minute two-man heat. Most surfers choose to surf Pipeline, the left break where the contest takes place. But Dorian opted several times to surf the right break at Pipeline, known as "Backdoor," racking up a series of strong scores. Dorian scored a 9.17 on one wave – the top single ride score for the day by any surfer -- forcing Gudauskas to take a chance on large waves, hoping to make up ground with a spectacular scoring ride.

But the punishing surf did not reward Gudauskas, who was hammered by wipeouts. Dorian had his share of tough rides, at one point being crushed by a wave that snapped a favorite board he called his "Old Faithful."

Gudauskas must now await the final results of the Pipeline contest to see where he ends up in the complicated scoring system, but it's all but certain not to be good news.

The heavy surf caused spectacular wipeouts and broken boards throughout the day. The Banzai Pipeline is especially treacherous because it is a near-shore reef break. At spots the water is just three feet deep.

Pipe Masters is the third and final leg of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which includes events in nearby Haleiwa and Sunset Beach. Pipe Masters started in 1971 with just $1,000 in contest money put up by Continental Airlines. The Triple Crown is celebrating 30 years this year, with over $1 million in total prize money. The winner will also receive a Harley Davidson motorcycle and $10,000 Nixon watch.

The competition continues Sunday. Under the rules of Pipe Masters, the contest must conclude no later than Dec. 20.

Kolohe Andino of San Clemente advanced from his first round heat with this wave at the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Patrick Gudauskas of San Clemente charges hard on this wave, but was beaten by veteran surfer Shane Dorian of Kauai in the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. The loss puts Gudauskas's fate in doubt for the 2013 World Tour, professional surfing's top tier. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Kieren Perrow of Australia wipes out and has his board broken into three pieces by one of the first waves of the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. With wave faces of up to 12 feet, the heavy surf punished surfers throughout the day. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Hawaiian surfer, Bruce Iron flies off a wave and his board in the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. The event is named after his late brother, Andy, who won the contest three times. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Some spectators took to the trees for a birds eye-view of the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A worker heads into the contest's administration trailer which was covered with a huge photograph of a wave before the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Shane Dorian won his first round heat by beating Patrick Gudauskas in the ninth heat in the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Evan Valiere is about to have the roof fall in as he maneuvers a wave in the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Surfer Tiago Pires of Portugal rides through a watery tube of different shapes and colors in the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Patrick Gudauskas cuts left into the Pipeline surf break. His opponent, Shane Dorian, often utilized the right break, known as Backdoor, to win the first round heat. The Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii will continue Sunday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A couple of spectators share some shelter from a brief rain shower during the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A picture frame was placed in the sand by one of the spectators for pictures during the opening round of the Billabong Pipe Masters 2012 contest on the North Shore of Hawaii on Saturday. MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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